Obituary

A Life of Service - A Love of Family

JoAnne M. Fuller came into this world in Berkeley, California on February 1, 1932 and passed into the Lord's hands on January 30, 2024 in Chico, California. 

She grew up attending the Berkeley school system and UC Berkeley where in 1953 she received her bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology. She was active in sports, including baseball, swimming and track. 

JoAnne was a good student and a popular student leader, actively involved as a cheer leader, Junior Prom Queen, student body Secretary, drama, public speaking, Rainbow Girls, and especially the Girl Scouts which became a life long passion, including later leading her own troops. 

Her own special joy came with a love of music, learning to play the piano starting as a child and eventually becoming a proficient pianist, and singing in church choirs wherever she lived.

JoAnne met the love of her life, Dave Fuller, while they both were attending CAL and working for the City of Berkeley recreation department, first as swimming instructors at the local high school, then each as a playground supervisor at different grammar schools. 

They dated through their college years where she became active in sorority life as a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority. Upon graduation in 1953 they were married in Berkeley. Dave then attended law school at UC Berkeley while JoAnne taught Kindergarten and first and second grades in Danville and Piedmont. 

In 1956, after he passed the California Bar and started work in San Francisco as a lawyer for PG&E, they lived in the Bay Area in Montclair and Orinda while they started a family. They had three children, Susan in 1957, Thomas in 1959, and Mary in 1960.

Wanting to leave the Bay Area and live in a small town, JoAnne and Dave moved to Chico in 1963, where he entered private practice with the Peters law firm. 

There she continued her life of service in addition to raising their young family by joining the Children’s Home Society, Omega Nu, the Enloe Hospital Auxiliary, the Chico Community Concert Association, the PTA. Las Senoras, Rainbow Girls, PEO, the UC Alumni Council (as vice-president), and as a Girl Scout leader.

JoAnne loved birds, acquiring a collection of beautiful and realistic carved birds which she enjoyed displaying and showing to children of all ages. 

She and Dave traveled frequently to birding areas throughout the United States as well to explore almost 30 other countries around the world including China, Australia, Africa and England. Reading was also one of her passions, belonging to a book club for many years.

Both JoAnne and Dave found their worship as members of the Bidwell Memorial Presbyterian Church to be an important part of their lives together, singing in the Chancel Choir for over sixty years. She was a believer in Jesus Christ, holding a bible study in her home for many years.

Joanne is survived by her husband, Dave, her three children and their spouses: Sue (Dave), Tom (Margaret), and Mary (Greg), seven grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.